By the way, I wrote that last post using the new Blogger Toolbar plug-in for Microsoft Word and loved it. It is a great way to write long entries and get all the power of MS Word like instant spell-checking, thesaurus, etc...
The only problem I had with it is that it didn't translate apostorphes and quotation marks well. I had to go back through my post and delete the ones put in by MS Word. Not a really big deal...
Give it a try.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
I Don't Rat Out My Friends
Erin had a situation erupt in class where a student stole some mints. While the cost of mints is negligible, Erin is quite concerned about the character of the students who would take other people's property without asking. What stressed her out even more is that one student who has the potential to be a fabulous leader, told her that he knew who had stolen the mints, but would not "rat out" his friend.
One of the lies of Satan is that it is virtuous to protect others from the retribution of sin. On the surface this seems to makes sense. We have all struggled with the ethical response to a similar situation. The question is do we have an ethical, moral, or spiritual responsibility to bring the sin of other's to the attention of those in authority? What is our responsibility to the moral fiber of those around us?
Now, obviously since I said that it is a "lie of Satan that it is virtuous to protect others from the retribution of sin," then I believe that Scripture clearly teaches that we have a responsibility not only to our own character, but also to assist others with their characters. God commands those who are good to not just avoid sin, but to actively oppose it. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit and letting God speak through him wrote that the Ephesians were to "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." (Eph. 5:11)
In other words, those who do nothing about sin and evil, help the sin and evil to prevail. This may be clearly seen in the days of Elijah, when the silence of many had allowed the evil of Ahab and Jezebel to prevail throughout the land of Israel. "Elijah went before the people and said, 'How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.' But the people said nothing." (1 Kings 18:21). The silence of the people spoke volumes of their indecisiveness and inaction. Their failure to stand up, speak up and speak out permitted wicked and evil men to run rampant.
How soon we forget the Sunday School stories we learned as children. Did not Jesus tell us a story of a traveler who was robbed, beaten and left half-dead? We all clearly understand that the robbers were wicked and did a very wicked thing. We all can remember our feelings of disgust toward the Levite and priest who, even though they were supposedly men of God, allowed this evil to continue unanswered by doing nothing as they each "passed by on the other side" (Luke 10:31-32). Fortunately for the traveler there was one man, a Samaritan, who was willing to stand up for what was right (Luke 10:33-36).
Jesus made it clear that there is no middle ground when it comes to the fight against evil. He said, "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters" (Matt. 12:30). There is no gray area. Those who are not actively and vigorously fighting against evil are helping evil to triumph.
Jesus himself did not stand on the line while evil went on around him. He infuriated the Pharisees and religious leaders of his day as he cleared the temple, not once (John 2:13-16, early in ministry) but twice (Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-18, Luke 19:45-46, last week of ministry). I won't waste your time referring to every instance that Jesus boldly called out the Pharisees for their wickedness (Matthew 23).
One could even begin to make an argument that when "good' men do nothing to stop evil they see going on in front of them, then they are no longer good. There is a faulty idea that good is merely the absence of doing that which is wrong. This just is not so! One is good not merely because he does no evil, but because he is actively working for what is good. "He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it" (1 Pet. 3:11). James explained, "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." (James 4:17).
How does God view those who sit by idly while sin goes around them? The prophet Obadiah severely condemned the Edomites for doing nothing when evil was befalling their brethren, the Jews. When Jerusalem was invaded by her enemies, the Edomites "stood on the other side" doing nothing but watching the slaughter as spectators. God said by their failure to act and to help their brethren "you were like one of them" (Obadiah 11).
Those who fail or refuse to do good in the face of evil are sowing some dangerous seeds. They are doing nothing good as Jesus commanded them to do; they are helping evil to win and have ceased being good and have become partakers of the evil they did nothing to stop.
Edmund Burke is quoted as saying that "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Do not allow evil to triumph. Do not do sit by and do nothing. Stand up and be counted, speak up against evil and speak out against evil men and their sinful deeds.
One of the lies of Satan is that it is virtuous to protect others from the retribution of sin. On the surface this seems to makes sense. We have all struggled with the ethical response to a similar situation. The question is do we have an ethical, moral, or spiritual responsibility to bring the sin of other's to the attention of those in authority? What is our responsibility to the moral fiber of those around us?
Now, obviously since I said that it is a "lie of Satan that it is virtuous to protect others from the retribution of sin," then I believe that Scripture clearly teaches that we have a responsibility not only to our own character, but also to assist others with their characters. God commands those who are good to not just avoid sin, but to actively oppose it. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit and letting God speak through him wrote that the Ephesians were to "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." (Eph. 5:11)
In other words, those who do nothing about sin and evil, help the sin and evil to prevail. This may be clearly seen in the days of Elijah, when the silence of many had allowed the evil of Ahab and Jezebel to prevail throughout the land of Israel. "Elijah went before the people and said, 'How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.' But the people said nothing." (1 Kings 18:21). The silence of the people spoke volumes of their indecisiveness and inaction. Their failure to stand up, speak up and speak out permitted wicked and evil men to run rampant.
How soon we forget the Sunday School stories we learned as children. Did not Jesus tell us a story of a traveler who was robbed, beaten and left half-dead? We all clearly understand that the robbers were wicked and did a very wicked thing. We all can remember our feelings of disgust toward the Levite and priest who, even though they were supposedly men of God, allowed this evil to continue unanswered by doing nothing as they each "passed by on the other side" (Luke 10:31-32). Fortunately for the traveler there was one man, a Samaritan, who was willing to stand up for what was right (Luke 10:33-36).
Jesus made it clear that there is no middle ground when it comes to the fight against evil. He said, "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters" (Matt. 12:30). There is no gray area. Those who are not actively and vigorously fighting against evil are helping evil to triumph.
Jesus himself did not stand on the line while evil went on around him. He infuriated the Pharisees and religious leaders of his day as he cleared the temple, not once (John 2:13-16, early in ministry) but twice (Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-18, Luke 19:45-46, last week of ministry). I won't waste your time referring to every instance that Jesus boldly called out the Pharisees for their wickedness (Matthew 23).
One could even begin to make an argument that when "good' men do nothing to stop evil they see going on in front of them, then they are no longer good. There is a faulty idea that good is merely the absence of doing that which is wrong. This just is not so! One is good not merely because he does no evil, but because he is actively working for what is good. "He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it" (1 Pet. 3:11). James explained, "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." (James 4:17).
How does God view those who sit by idly while sin goes around them? The prophet Obadiah severely condemned the Edomites for doing nothing when evil was befalling their brethren, the Jews. When Jerusalem was invaded by her enemies, the Edomites "stood on the other side" doing nothing but watching the slaughter as spectators. God said by their failure to act and to help their brethren "you were like one of them" (Obadiah 11).
Those who fail or refuse to do good in the face of evil are sowing some dangerous seeds. They are doing nothing good as Jesus commanded them to do; they are helping evil to win and have ceased being good and have become partakers of the evil they did nothing to stop.
Edmund Burke is quoted as saying that "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Do not allow evil to triumph. Do not do sit by and do nothing. Stand up and be counted, speak up against evil and speak out against evil men and their sinful deeds.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Another "Coffee is good for you Story"
According to a short, balding scientist with a nervous twitch, "Coffee is actually better for you that fruits and vegetables."
Now, for a real quote from the article:
"This study reconfirms the fact that moderate coffee consumption of four to five cups a day not only is perfectly safe but may confer health benefits."Just like I've always known. Despite what you may have heard about me or believe yourself, I drink coffee only because it is healthy. It is reducing my risk of liver and colon cancer, type two diabetes and Parkinson's disease. So, in my continual effort to be as fit as possible, I say, BRING ON THE JAVA!!!
Now, for a real quote from the article:
"This study reconfirms the fact that moderate coffee consumption of four to five cups a day not only is perfectly safe but may confer health benefits."Just like I've always known. Despite what you may have heard about me or believe yourself, I drink coffee only because it is healthy. It is reducing my risk of liver and colon cancer, type two diabetes and Parkinson's disease. So, in my continual effort to be as fit as possible, I say, BRING ON THE JAVA!!!
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Respect for Condi Down the Drain
I now see that Secretary of State Rice is not qualified to be president of the US. Her recent statements supporting the forced removal of Jews from the Gaza strip and encouraging Israel to unilaterally surrender more land to the Palestinians not only disqualifies her for the position she is currently holding, but also disqualifies her as a candidate that I can support for President.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
No Democracy in the Middle East
For quite some time I have always held Israel in high regard for being the only "democratic" country in the Middle East. I had always hoped that they would influence that turbulent part of the world to accept the values of Western Philosophy that are rooted in Judeo-Christian thought. Those values are that, since YHWH created man and gave man the gift of self-determination, then no other man can use force to take that life or take that self-determination away from him to whom it was given. In other words, since life and liberty are God's gifts to individuals, any individual who takes those things away are putting themselves above God.
These values are the cornerstone of freedom and "democracy." A culture and society that values life and self-determination (liberty) and uses the power of government to protect those two values will succeed. That culture and society will become a haven for all who oppressed. It will be a place where people prosper. It will be a place where people flock to.
Anyway, up until recently Israel has been that kind of place. However, in the "spirit of compromise" Israel has decided to surrender its concrete values for the hope of peace. Israel is denying its citizenry the God-given right of self-determination and forcefully expelling people from their homes and their property, without even a vague and unenforceable promise that the Palestinians will behave now. Israel is giving up so much more than land, they are giving up part of their national character and it is sad. It tears my heart and conscience to see the Israeli government use force to remove fellow Jews from their homeland.
One of the principles of being a person/nation of character is knowing what your values are and making sure that you never betray them. While I believe in absolute moralitity (akin to absolute truth) even postmodern philosophers would have to agree that betrayal of your own values is what determines the morality of something. This, therefore, is an immoral act by the Israeli government. While I still support Israel over the her enemies, I have lost a great deal of respect for her. I no longer hold her in high regard and I can no longer see her as a "democracy." Because she is acting immorally and being contrarian to the desires of Jehovah, I see her as just slightly better than the countries that surround her.
These values are the cornerstone of freedom and "democracy." A culture and society that values life and self-determination (liberty) and uses the power of government to protect those two values will succeed. That culture and society will become a haven for all who oppressed. It will be a place where people prosper. It will be a place where people flock to.
Anyway, up until recently Israel has been that kind of place. However, in the "spirit of compromise" Israel has decided to surrender its concrete values for the hope of peace. Israel is denying its citizenry the God-given right of self-determination and forcefully expelling people from their homes and their property, without even a vague and unenforceable promise that the Palestinians will behave now. Israel is giving up so much more than land, they are giving up part of their national character and it is sad. It tears my heart and conscience to see the Israeli government use force to remove fellow Jews from their homeland.
One of the principles of being a person/nation of character is knowing what your values are and making sure that you never betray them. While I believe in absolute moralitity (akin to absolute truth) even postmodern philosophers would have to agree that betrayal of your own values is what determines the morality of something. This, therefore, is an immoral act by the Israeli government. While I still support Israel over the her enemies, I have lost a great deal of respect for her. I no longer hold her in high regard and I can no longer see her as a "democracy." Because she is acting immorally and being contrarian to the desires of Jehovah, I see her as just slightly better than the countries that surround her.
Friday, August 12, 2005
For my Bride
| I held you just the other day What sweet comfort to cradle you so close Ten Years of love and commitment Wrapped up in the energy and excitement of newfound romance There is no one I hold as dear None other do I desire to hold. When I am holding you I get lost in your beauty, the diamond-like shine in your eyes When I am holding you I get lost in your love, sealed with kisses sweet as fine wine When I am holding you I get lost in your heart: pure, forgiving, kind, gentle, and understanding With these simple, ordinary words I pray that joy fills your heart With these kisses I pray that love floods your soul With these hugs I pray that warmth radiates through your spirit I held you just the other day What sweet comfort to cradle you so close For you are mine. Forever to hold. For you are mine. Forever to love. |  |
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Out of date Radio Shack commercial
I heard a commercial on the radio yesterday in which Radio Shack was advertising that it sells great graduation gifts. That kind of commercial seems more appropriate in, say, May or June than in August when people are getting ready to go back to school. But, hey, what do I know...
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Sleepy Stories
Anyone who has seen "Unbreakable" should see a relationship between these two stories:
Story 1 (Man Doesn't Sleep) - I read this story earlier this year and thought it was interesting. We've always known that different people need different amounts of sleep and guy who needed none is wierd. I later learned that this is not so unique.
Story 2 (Boy Doesn't Wakeup) - I read this story today and it reminded me of the one I read earlier and the premise of the movie "Unbreakable."
Story 1 (Man Doesn't Sleep) - I read this story earlier this year and thought it was interesting. We've always known that different people need different amounts of sleep and guy who needed none is wierd. I later learned that this is not so unique.
Story 2 (Boy Doesn't Wakeup) - I read this story today and it reminded me of the one I read earlier and the premise of the movie "Unbreakable."
Monday, August 08, 2005
Quote of the Day
This quote rocks:
"America was founded on the principle that the rights of citizens are handed down by God, not government. It appears to me to be one of the logical reasons so many efforts are frantically made every day to remove God from the empowerment equation. If God doesn't give us our rights, government does."
Marilyn Barnewall
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Reason 1,738 of why homeowner associations are asinine
This little girl's lemonade stand was shut down by the home owners association of her neighborhood despite the fact that Sunkist had awarded her the lemonade stand after recieving her essay on how she would use the proceeds to donate money to the Humane Shelter. Also, since she was selling the lemonade at the neighborhood pool and had long lines, then the residents in the neighborhood must not have had a problem with her ventrue. More than likely some old, retired retard with too much time on his hands complained and used his single-voice to impose his will on the rest of the community.
I don't know why anyone would willingly move into a community where they would give power to thier neighbors to tell them what they can and can not do on thier land (with-in reason). I have no problem with signing a voluntary (but legally unenforcable) document stating the standards the community wishes to set. All rules should pass the "common sense" test and be able to be ignored when a rational person would not see a problem with them.
I don't know why anyone would willingly move into a community where they would give power to thier neighbors to tell them what they can and can not do on thier land (with-in reason). I have no problem with signing a voluntary (but legally unenforcable) document stating the standards the community wishes to set. All rules should pass the "common sense" test and be able to be ignored when a rational person would not see a problem with them.
Monday, August 01, 2005
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